November 15, 2013

The exciting news is that I am changing the name of my business from Moore Patchwork & Quilting to Lyn Briggs Designs.

I've been thinking about it for a while but it was when we were on our UK holiday that I made the decision. Sometimes stepping back helps you to see things more clearly.

When I started Moore Patchwork & Quilting in 2005, I only sold other designers' patterns but gradually over time, I started designing more and more of my own patterns until now I only sell my own designs. Because of that, I believe the name Lyn Briggs Designs is a better reflection of my business today.

The biggest change in the new store is that all PDF patterns will be available for immediate download at the time of purchase.The other change is that all payments go through Paypal - either your Paypal account or credit card. I'm hoping that both of these changes will make shopping easier.

Oh, and of course there's a new blog and from next week I will be posting from here.

I Love Xmas....

In amongst all the admin work I've been doing lately, I've managed to finish my I Love Xmas project.

The quilting went quickly and I'm glad I machine quilted in the ditch of the seams of the stars because it does make them stand out more.

The finished size is 24" x 12"

The pattern is available in both printed and pdf formats in my new shop!

November 11, 2013

I know it seems a bit ridiculous given how swelteringly hot it is in Paradise at the moment, but I've actually finished a knitting project! All I can say is airconditioning helps.

I started this Macro Lace Cardigan by Laura Chau in June before we went on our big trip and then picked it up again in October. Well now it's finished! It took a little bit longer than I anticipated to do the bands which are really wide but I got there in the end.

The plum coloured Cascade 220 yarn is beautiful and I know that this version will become a favourite of mine like the lastMacro Lace Cardigan I made which by the way is now 'retired'.

I really enjoy knitting Laura Chau's patterns. They are easy to follow and she provides both a chart (which I prefer) and written instructions. Besides that, her designs actually fit me well.

Another thing I did before we went away was buy some more Cascade 220 to make another one of her designs. This time a pullover called Levina.

I pulled it out of the cupboard this morning and was a bit surprised to find navy blue yarn. I don't know what I was thinking at the time but if I was buying yarn today I would have bought something a bit more colourful - like the lovely reddish colour on the pattern! I will just have to dress it up with a colourful scarf.

Every summer I plan to make jumpers for winter and every year I seem to fail except this summer I'm determined to turn that record around. I've already finished one cardigan and hopefully I will add this pullover to my wardrobe as well.

November 08, 2013

I am pleased with the red inside borders and after thinking about it overnight, decided that a pieced outside border would go nicely.

I cut 2 1/2" squares from the reds and greys and arranged them around the outside until I was happy with them.

Now it's just a matter of sewing them together and then adding them to the quilt.

That's the plan for the weekend.

Lost Postcard....

Remember all of those postcards I posted back to myself from UK? When I was adding them to my travel journal, I noticed that one day was missing. It was a day we spent in Worchester and I was sure I had sent a postcard with a photo of the magnificent cathedral on it.

Turns out I was right because yesterday it arrived in my mail box (only 3 months late). It looks a little bit battered and bruised around the edges (Robin said it looks like it's been on a detour around the world.), but I'm pleased to see it. I can now fill that empty space dated 1 August.

November 06, 2013

Since I'm making a Christmas tablerunner, when it came to designing the patchwork blocks I thought a couple star blocks were appropriate.

I found this block in one of my patchwork books - I'm sure it has a name but the book didn't give it one so I remain clueless.

It was surpisingly easy to make and just to add some interest I used two different red and 2 different grey fabrics per block. I did make a third block but the red was a bit too dark and I decided that these two would do nicely.

Once the stitchery was completed I joined it with the blocks for the centre of the tablerunner and then it was a matter of adding the inside borders.

Fortunately the red fabric from my stash worked really well with the red and grey print fabrics. I've cut them 1" (finished) and will now think about the outside border.

November 04, 2013

I have finally got my head around the fact that Christmas is fast approaching and that I need to get some Christmas cheer happening around here. To get myself in the Christmas mood I decided that making something Christmassy was the thing to do.

A couple of weeks ago while looking through my stash, I came across this pile of Christmas type fabrics that I bought this time last year and I vowed that they wouldn't still be sitting in my stash this time next year.

I had no clear idea what to make until I started thinking about what I needed in the house and came up with a tablerunner. I quickly came up with a plan with some stitchery and some patchwork blocks.

Along with the grey and red patterned fabrics I found some red fabric in my stash that will match them as well. It will work nicely for the borders and binding.

Because I'm stitching in red thread only, the stitchery is turning out to be very quick to do.

November 01, 2013

Well it's happened again - a new month has come around way too quickly! A new month means a new newsletter and I've just sent out the November Newsletter.

This month is the final instalment of the Family Blessings block of the month quilt and for Things I've Learned Along the Way I show how I bind my quilts. One of the things I do is (almost) always cut my bindings the same width and save any leftovers so that I can then join them together to use in binding my scrappy quilts.

With the finish of our project, I introduce the block of the month for 2014 - The Word of God which is still very much a work in progress.

I also share some exciting new plans and the Inspiration Column is all about the unconditional love that God has for us even when we do things that disappoint.

If you are interested in finding out more about the newsletter, please email me.

Family Blessings Block of the Month...

If you are interested in the Family Blessings project it's now available as a block of the month project on my website.

My website

Where to buy my patterns

I have a free monthly newsletter featuring a stitchery block of the month; exclusive specials on my patterns; and an inspiration column which includes a word of encouragement from the Bible.
In 2012 we did the quilt called I am... based on the I am statements Jesus made in the book of John. If you would like more information please email me.